Portable manifolding device



March 2, 1937. J. Q. SHERMAN 2,072,133

PORTABLE MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed May 27, 1953 Z Sheets-Sheet 1 March 2,1937. J. Q. SHERMAN PORTABLE MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed May 27, 1933 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED 26 Glaims.

This invention relates to autographic registers for producing manifoldedrecords, and more particularly to a portable register or holder and fora supply of continuous strips of printed forms which are issued from theholder in superposed registering relation with portions of transfermaterial interleaved therebetween, ready to receive writteninscriptions.

The present device, which is of small size, compact form, and light inweight, is adapted to be readily and easily carried from place to placeand is especially intended for the use of sales people, deliverymen,checkers, and others who may find it desirable to issue tickets orrecord slips while moving from place to place.

The present manifolding apparatus comprises a box-like housing,preferably of aluminum or other light weight sheet material, havingdimensions approximately equal to those of the largest size packet ofrecord material 'to be contained therein and provided with an adjustabletop or cover which serves as a writing tablet, over which successiveportions of the record strips are disposed upon withdrawal from the boxor holder.

For illustrative purposes, but without necessarily limiting theinvention, the printed forms are shown in the drawings impressedalternately upon opposite sides of the respective strips, the stripsbeing issued alternately from opposite ends of the box or container intooverlying relation with the top or cover, forming the writing tablet.

This top or cover is provided at each end with a retaining bar by whichthe free ends of the issued portions of the strips are clamped. Theinterleaved portions of transfer, material are attached to a reversiblecarrier located within the magazine or holder for supply strips, andwhich also serves as a guide for the several record strips.

Althought intended as a portable register or manifolding device, it willbe obvious that the present manifolding register may be stationarilylocated on top of a table or desk or may be embedded therein with itstop substantially flush with the surface of a table, desk or counter, in

locations where the more cumbersome type of register would be highlyobjectionable or impractical.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well asthe means and mode of operation of manifolding devices whereby they willnot only be cheap in construction, but'will be more efiicient andconvenient in use, of light weight and compact form, devoid of workingparts or mechanism, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention to is provide a holder or containerover the writing tablet or top thereof.

'A further object of the invention is to provide improved guide meansfor the record strips and mounting means for carbon or transfer sheetsinterposed between the strips.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a reversible carrierfor transfer material, automatically responsive in accordance with thedirection of withdrawal of the record strips from the holder orcontainer.

A further object of the invention is,to provide a manifold pack that ischeap and economical to use in the register. v

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as willmore fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and themode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described andset forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferredbut obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of theinvention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the portable register ormanifolding device, forming the subject matter hereof, with the extendedportion of' the record strips disposed over the writing tablet ready toreceive an inscription. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing theterminal forms of the record strips withdrawn from the holder, ready forreversal over the top or writing tablet, the clamp or holder strip andtop being in disengaged position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectionalview. Fig. 4 is a perspective view, with the top or' writing tabletraised, and the record strips turned to expose the interleavedtransfersheets and their mounting means. Fig. 5.discloses a perspective view ofone modification of the record material supply packet. Fig. 6 shows aperspective view of another modification of the record material supplypacket. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the transfer materialfolder.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference,throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I is the box-like container toreceive a packet 2 of superposed strips 3 which are collectively foldedin reverse directions at spaced intervals into zigzag formation.

Hinged to the box I is a lid or cover 4, which, when in closed position,forms a writing tablet. The ends of the box I are shown of slightly lessheight than the sides thereof to afford at each end of the container anexit opening 5, through which the terminal portions of the superposedstrips extend from the interior of the box or container and thence overthe top or cover 4. When successive forms are printed alternately onopposite sides of the strips, as is shown in Fig. 5, then the stripswill be withdrawn first from one end and then from the other end of thecontainer I and exit slots 5 or other clearance are necessary at bothends of the container to permit aligning adjustment. At each end of thetop or cover 4 there is pivotally mounted, concentric with the hinge ofthe lid or cover, a clamp bar Ii. The terminal portions of the lid orwriting tablet 4 are preferably depressed out of the normal'planethereof, as shown in Fig. 2 to receive the clamp bars 6 to securely gripthe free ends of the record strips beneath the bars 6 within thedepression 1. The cover or writing tablet 4 is flanged at its freemargin for overlapping engagement with the side wall of the container orbox I, with which it retains its engagement by.

its inherent tension. The clamp bars 6 likewise overlap the margin ofthe cover or writing tablet 4 and engage therewith under inherent-springtension to hold them in their closed or strip gripping position. I

Medially disposed within the container or box I is a substantiallyU-shaped frame 8, shown in detail in Fig. '7, the upturned ends ofwhichabut upon the inner faces of the side walls of the container or box I.Out-turned marginal fingers 9 are provided upon the frame or mounting 8,which are engageable in any one of several marginal notches I 0 in theside walls of the container whereby the frame 8 is engageable therewithindifferent positions of relative adjustment.

Pivotally connected to the upturned ends of the frame member 8 arerotary heads II interconnected with each other by spaced rods I2 towhich are attachedstrips I3 of transfer material which extend thence outof the container or box I intermediate the superposed record strips '3,which latter are guided over, under and between the rods I2, as is shownparticularly in Fig. 4.

As the printed forms are disposed alternately upon opposite sides of thestrips, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the transfer sheets I3 are doublefaced. These transfer strips I 3' are fixedly secured to the rods I2 bysuitable clamping means, by pasting or by carriers mounted thereon towhichthe strips I3 are secured. The mounting for the transfer sheets isreversible about its pivotal connection with theframe 8 andreadily'accommodates itself to withdrawal of the strips in' eitherdirection from the box or container.

.In using the register, after each writing operation is completed-thelid of thecontainer or box is raised and the next succeeding set ofsuperposed forms is withdrawn. Succeeding sets of forms are extendedfirst'about one end of the lid as may be, which by such alternation ismade to always engage the interior of the fold, and by a slight pressureof the hand while adjusting the strips, such engagement of the margin oredge of the top or clamp in the fold of the strips is utilized to insureaccurate registry of the forms on the writing tablet, The short transfersheets,

being stationarily anchored within the container With the abovemanifolding pack the carbon 1 or transfer sheets must be carbonized onboth sides so that each succeeding set of forms is brought over thewriting lid or top, first from one end of the container for one set, andthen from the other end for the next set, so that the carbon paper whenthe forms are written upon will properly copy. When continuous lengthinterleaved carbon strips are used, the pack is placed in the containerand one set of forms extended over'the edge of the container, the lid 4is closed down and the/forms placed in writing position over the writinglid 4, being held in position by the clip or clamp bar 6 at the oppositeedge.

After the forms have been written upon they are released from theirposition over the writing tablet to pemiit the opening of the lid 4 andthen, while still grasping the forms, the lid is removed, the next setof forms lifted from' the container, after which the lid is closed down,the unwrittenset of forms placed and clamped thereon, and the writtenforms detached. If desired, the written forms may be detached prior tothe clamping of the succeeding unwritten forms. Where the continuousform carbon is used, the carbon strips are preferably provided with tabsI4 so that the carbon sheets can be easily withdrawn from the formsafter said forms have been detached.

Where continuous transfer strips are not interleaved, the short carbonsheets I3, which are anchored upon the spaced rods I2 carried by therotary heads II, must be carbonized on both sides as in continuouslength carbon strips. When the forms are alternately drawn from one sideof the container or the other, the assembly of the carbon sheets I3 willturn over to follow the record sheets in either direction. In using thisassembly device, the printed forms are dra n, prefer ably while the lidof the container is open, through the assembly of stationarily anchoredcarbon sheets i3 until the printed forms are sufficiently closed inFigs.4 and '7.

The various copies of the written to ms, after being detached, arepreferably, in part or whole, stored on the under side of the containerand held in'position by a clip leaf holder I5, hinged to the containerat 16 and biased against the bottom of the container by a suitablespring not shown.

Cross reference is made to copending companion applications, Serial No.729,034, filed June 6, 5 1934, Serial No. 677,629, filed June 26, 1933,Serial No. 741,578,..filed August 27, 1934, Serial No. 741,579, filedAugust 27, 1934, and Serial No. 741,580, filed August 27, 1934.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible'of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

I While in order to comply with the statute, the

invention has been described in language more 20 understood that theinvention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that themeans andconstruction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form ofseveral modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention istherefore claimed in anyof its forms or modifications within thelegitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1 A register foruse with superimposed continuous strips of printed formshaving succeeding forms printed on opposite sides so that when thestrips are stacked in zigzag relation the forms all face the samedirection, said register including a compartment for storing a pack ofthe zigzag folded strips, a writing tablet mounted on said containerforming a lid therefor, said container and lid being arranged to provideclearance at either end to permit the sheets to extend from the 40container over the lid from either end thereof.

2. In a register for use with superimposed continuous strips of printedforms having succeedin forms printed on opposite sides so that when thestrips are stacked in zigzag relation the forms all face the samedirection, the combination of a container, for storing a pack of thefolded strips, said container having openings in opposite ends with alid for the container over which the succeeding forms are drawn fromopposite ends in the writing position through the openings in eitherend, said lid being pivotally attached to the container.

3. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including a container for said stack of strips,said container having spaced openings through which the strips mayextend, and a lid therefor arranged to have succeeding forms withdrawnfrom opposite ends of the lid through said openings so as to present thesucceeding printed forms facing in the same direction. i

4. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including I a container for said stack ofstrips having spaced exit openings extending therein so that succeedingfomis may bewithdrawn from opposite ends thereof to present thesucceeding printed forms facing in the same direction, and a writingtable associated with said container over which withor less specific asto structural features, it is to be drawn portions of the strips may bedisposed face uppermost.

' 5. An autographic registerfor use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen the strips are-stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including a container for said stack of strips,a tablet associated with said register having a clearance passage undereach end into the container, clamping members associated with the endsof the tablet for clamping the free ends of the record strips withdrawnfrom either end as they overlie the table.

6. In a register for use with superimposed printed strips havingsucceeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the.strips.

are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, thecombination of a writing tablet arranged to receive forms from eitherend,- and clamping members associated with the ends thereof, the writingtablet being shaped to receive the clamping members whereby one of theclamping members presents a smooth writing surface flush with thewriting surface of the tablet when theother is used 'in clampingthestrips.

7. In a register for use with superimposed printed strips havingsucceeding forms printed on opposite sides thereof so that when thestrips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction,a writing tablet and a pair of clamps mounted, one at each end of thetablet, the writing tablet beinge'so shaped that as the forms areextended over'the tablet from either end thereof the free ends of theforms may be clamped by one clamp while the other clamp extends thewriting surface of the tablet.

8. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including a container for said stack of strips,a tablet associated with said container having passages underneatheither end thereof so that the forms may be drawn over either end so asto present the printed surface and permit the alignment of the forms atthe folds against the edge of thetablet when in closed position, and acarbon-sheet holder mounted in saidcontainer for supplying transfermaterial to the strips. 4

9. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen .the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register'including a receptacle to receive a packet ofsaid zigzag folded strips, and having exit openings in its opposite endsthrough which succeeding portions of the strips may be alternatelywithdrawn from opposite ends of the receptacle, a writing tabletoverlying the receptacle over which the succeeding withdrawn portionsmay be 'reversely folded in-alternating directions to writing positionaccording to the end of the receptacle from which they are withdrawn andmeans beneath the writing tablet for presenting transfer material in.

manifolding relation with the withdrawn portions of the strips inaccordance with the disposition thereof in writing position.

10. An autographic register for'use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including .having clearance adjacent its endsso that the strips may be fed thereto from either end thereof,

and means for supplying transfer material interl5 mediate the recordstrips, including one or. more supporting bars rotatably mounted.

12. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the oppositesides thereof so thatwhen 0 the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including a container for said stack of stripshaving openings at its opposite ends through which succeeding portionsof the strips may be alternately with drawn, a lid therefor arranged tohave succeeding forms withdrawn thereover from opposite ends thereof,said lid being arranged to register folds of the forms at either end,and clamping members associated with the opposite ends thereof, saidclamping members being arranged to clamp the free ends of the stripsbrought in registry. 13. A packet holder for manifolding material.comprising a box-like container to receive a packet of superposedcontinuous record strips, and from which the strips may be withdrawnalternately at opposite ends ofthe container, a

cover for the container forming a writing tablet over which thewithdrawn portions of the strips am reversely extended, a clampingmember for temporarilysecuring the free ends of the reversely extendedstrips upon the writing tablet, and a reversible mounting for strips oftransfer material located 'within the container from which connectedportions of transfer material may extend thence exteriorly of thecontainer and over. the top thereof intermediate the extended portionsof the strips. V

14. A packet holder for manifoldingmaterial comprising a box-likecontainer to receive a packet of superposed continuous record strips,and from which the strips may be withdrawn alternately at-oppo'site endsof the container, 2. cover for the container forming a writing tabletover which the withdrawn portions ofthe strips are reversely extended, aclamping member for temporarily securing the free ends of the reverselyextended strips upon the writing tablet, a pivotally mounted carrier forstrips of transfer material including oscillatory transverse guides forthe superposed strips and to which the strips of transfer material maybe connected, said strips being adapted to extend thence exteriorly ofthe container and over the writing tablet intermediate the extendedportions of the record strips.

15., In a manifolding device, a boxlike con- I tainer for-a packet ofsuperposed strips of record :material having at its opposite ends exitopenings through which the terminal portion of the as,-

sembly of strips may be alternately extended, a cover for the boxforming a writing tablet over which the extended portions of the stripsmay he laid first in one direction and then in the other,

clamp means at the oppositeends of the cover.

adapted to engage the extended free ends of the strips, and a reversiblecarrier for transfer material interiorly of the box-like holder fromwhich portions of transfer material may extend beyond the container andover the top thereof intermediate the extended portions of the strips.

16. In a manifolding device, a box-like con- 1 tainer for a-packet ofsuperposed strips of record material having in its end an exit openingthrough which the strips may be progressively 1 0 withdrawn, a cover forthe container forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn materialmay be extended, means for temporarily clamping the free ends of thestrips upon the writing tablet, a plurality of oscillatingly mounted 15supports within the container forming guides for the strips and to whichstrips of transfer material may be connected, and from which thetransfer material extends thence exteriorly of the container and overthe writing tablet between the 20 extended portions of the strips.

17. In a portable autographic register for use with continuoussuperposed strips of record material reversely folded at spacedintervals into zigzag formation, a container for a packet of 25 such,strips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions ofthe strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tabletover which the withdrawn portions of the strips may be extended inwriting position, and a so pair of spaced rods extending across thecontainer and pivoted on an intermediate axis at a substantially midlength point of the container at least one of which is adapted to guide atleast one of the strips in its passage to the withdrawal open- 35 ing.18. In a portable autographic register foruse with continuous superposedstrips of record material reversely folded at spaced intervals intozigzag formation, a container for a packet of 40 such strips, having atleast one opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may bewithdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tablet, over which thewithdrawn portionsof the strips \may'be extended in writing position,and 45 a swinging guide member having two positions and located withinthe container transversely of the strips adapted to guide at least oneof the. strips in its passage to the withdrawal opening said guidemember swinging from one position to 50 the other when one form lengthis removed and anotheradvanced into writing position.

19. In a portable autographic register for use with continuoussuperposed strips of record ma-,

terial reversely folded at spaced intervals into 55' of relativelyspaced guide members within the container extending transversely of thestrips and pivoted on an intermediate axis about which the guide membershave unison swinging motion, at 65 least one of which is adapted toguide at least one of the strips in its passage to the withdrawalopening.

20. In a portable autographic register for use with continuoussuperposed strips of record ma- 70 terial reversely folded at spacedintervals into zigzag formation, acontainer for a packet of such strips,having at least one opening through which succeeding portions of thestrips may be withdraw, a cover therefor forming a writing 75transversely across the container at a substantially mid-length positionadapted to guide atleast one of the strips and comprising attachmentmeans for the transfer material which is connected thereto.

21. In a portable autographic register for use with continuoussuperposed strips of record ma terial reversely folded at spacedintervals into zigzag formation, a container for a packet of suchstrips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions ofthe strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tabletover which the withdrawn portions of the strips between which portionsof transfer material may be interleaved, may be extended in writingposition, and a swinging mounting located within the container to whichthe interleaved.

transfer material may be anchored, by the swinging motion of which saidmounting and transfer material is reversible relative to the container.

22. In a portable autographic register for use with continuoussuperposed strips of record material reversely folded at spacedintervals into-zigzag formation, a container for a packet of suchstrips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions ofthe strips may be withdrawn; a cover therefor forming a writing tabletover which the withdrawn portions of the strips, having therebetweenportions of transfer material, may be extended in writing position, anda plurality of relatively spaced mounting rods for the transfer materialwithin the containerextending transversely of the strips and pivotedupon an intermediate axis about which the mounting members have swingingmotion.

23. In a register for use with superposed printed strips havingsucceeding forms printed on opposite sides thereof so that when thestrips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face in brie direction, awriting tablet over either end of which the strips may be extended intowriting position thereon, and strip engaging means associated with thetablet and engageable with the free ends of the strips alternately atopposite ends of the tablet by which the strips are stationarily held 1the stack, a tablet overlying the holder, a mounting at the end of thetable opposite that over which they are extended thereonto.

24. An autographic register for use with super imposed printed stripshaving succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so thatwhen the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the samedirection, said register including means for supporting a stack ofstrips in such relation that the succeeding portions thereof may bewithdrawn alternately from Opposite ends of said supported stack ofstrips, said tablet having its ends arranged in substantially alignedrelation with opposite edges of the stack so as to be arranged toreceive strips from either end of the stack depending upon the side onwhich the printed forms appear, means for presenting transfer materialto said tablet in interleaved relation with the strips from either endof the tablet.

25. A dispensing holder for use with a packet of superposed continuousrecord strips having successions of forms printed thereon, the succeeding forms of the several strips being printed on adjoining portionsalternately on the opposite sides of the same strips and approximatelyregistered with forms printed on corresponding sides of other strips ofthe assembly, said packet holder having an exit at each end throughwhich the terminal portions of the strips may be alternately withdrawn,and a reversible carrier for short lengths of transfer materialinterleaved between the terminal portions of the strips located mediallywithin the packet holder and enabling thesheets to be reversed withalternation of the terminal portions of the strips.

26. A packet holder for use with a plurality of superposed continuousstrips, each comprising a series of printed forms upon adjoiningsections of the strips, these succeeding forms of each appearing onopposite sides of the same strips, said holder having an exit opening ateach end thereof through which the strips may be extended alternatelyinto reverse positions upon the top of therein for relatively shortlengths of transfer material interleaved between the terminal portionsof the strips upon which the transfer sheets are reversible to a reewith the alternate disposition of the terminal portions of the strips.

\ JOHN Q. SHERMAN.

